Am I Overstocked or Can I Add One More?

[spitz006]

1,020 Liter (224 gallon) community tank, I would like to buy a pinstripe Damba (madagascar cichlid) but I think I might be already overstocked. What do you think?

4 clouded archers (1 adult 3 juvenile)
1 polleni cichlid (juvenile)
3 clown loaches (juvenile)
1 Moonlight gourami (adult)
1 Systomus barb (juvenile)
1 retropinnis bichir (adult)
1 african knife (juvenile)
2 chinese algae eaters (adult)
1 filament barb (subadult)
1 giant chinese bitterling (subadult)
1 NTT datnioid (juvenile)

 

[Midwater]

If your filtration is good enough, I do not think you are overstocked. I am not sure that all these fish are compatible though.

 

[spitz006]

two FX6's

 

[ken31cay]

1,020 Liter (224 gallon) community tank, I would like to buy a pinstripe Damba (madagascar cichlid) but I think I might be already overstocked. What do you think?

4 clouded archers (1 adult 3 juvenile)
1 polleni cichlid (juvenile)
3 clown loaches (juvenile)
1 Moonlight gourami (adult)
1 Systomus barb (juvenile)
1 retropinnis bichir (adult)
1 african knife (juvenile)
2 chinese algae eaters (adult)
1 filament barb (subadult)
1 giant chinese bitterling (subadult)
1 NTT datnioid (juvenile)

Interesting mix you have there, some of which I have never kept before. Would love to have a starry night cichlid and datnoids, but I would not be able to import them where I live unfortunately.

 

[Joshuakahan]

1,020 Liter (224 gallon) community tank, I would like to buy a pinstripe Damba (madagascar cichlid) but I think I might be already overstocked. What do you think?

4 clouded archers (1 adult 3 juvenile)
1 polleni cichlid (juvenile)
3 clown loaches (juvenile)
1 Moonlight gourami (adult)
1 Systomus barb (juvenile)
1 retropinnis bichir (adult)
1 african knife (juvenile)
2 chinese algae eaters (adult)
1 filament barb (subadult)
1 giant chinese bitterling (subadult)
1 NTT datnioid (juvenile)

There’s no guarantees but I think you’re good to try a damba, just alway have a plan if things don’t work out

 

[fishdance]

Of course you can add one more fish. Freshwater fish are so much easier to keep than saltwater fish.

And if you do run out of space in your tank, there is always room for another tank...

 

[Joshuakahan]

Of course you can add one more fish. Freshwater fish are so much easier to keep than saltwater fish.

And if you do run out of space in your tank, there is always room for another tank...

From my experience, you got that backwards, salt in many cases is way easier

 

[duanes]

Its not jus about volume, or size.
Its can be about waste output, and how it is handled with the maintenance schedule , measured in nitrate, and other parameters.
If as is, your tank nitrate concentration hits a level above 20 ppm nitrate by the time of a regular water change schedule, it may already be overstocked, and chronic HITH might be expected as all fish hit maturity and reach adult size.

If, as is, your nitrate reading is 10ppm or below, another fish may be tolerated.
But it is also about growth, and territoriality.
I have kept a number of Dambas,, they require very low metabolites water and lots of swimming space.
My P menerambo, hit about 14"" in 2 years, and required lots of unencumbered personal space, or got ornery and they removed tank mates that got in their way with malice.
Paratilapia are similar in temperament, the one below is only half grown.

And some of these species do well as singles, some do best in shoals (Patetroplus is one of the species that does well, in a shoal or 4 or more)
I was able to keep 4 Paretroplus maculates in a similar sized tank, with 1 Paratilapia for a while, but little else was tolerated. They were eventually moved to larger quarters.

 

[Omrit]

What an odd combination of fish.


Anyway you will have a better looking set-up(and happier fish) if you get more of some of your current stock. The filament barbs are far more beautiful when kept in groups, and display interesting behaviors together. I imagine the bitterling and Systomus barb also appreciate a group, but I don't know much about the species you mentioned.


You definitely have room in this tank, but I wouldn't use it for another cichlid right now.

 

[Midwater]

Anyway you will have a better looking set-up(and happier fish) if you get more of some of your current stock.

Yes, 3 CL just does not work.